Connecticut became a nationwide model when the Citizens Election Program (CEP) was implemented to control special interest money and give more people and a more diverse field the ability to run for office.

The CEP allows candidates to spend more time listening to their constituents, and leads to policies more responsive to public needs and less skewed by wealthy special interests.

Despite recent attempts to repeal it, my colleagues and I believe it should remain intact. The program has a proven record of allowing candidates that would otherwise find it difficult to raise the necessary funds to successfully run for office.

I will keep working to make sure the CEP continues to be funded and continues to allow us to work on beneficial policies previously thwarted by special interest groups.